You Look FAABulous

LABR FAAB Report: Week of September 18

Each week, your friends at Mastersball will post the results of the weekly LABR FAAB run, featuring the winning bid as well a the runner-up bids. There are three LABR leagues, a 12-team AL only, 12-team NL only and 15-team Mixed Draft League. You can see the complete standings for each league by clicking on the appropriate heading, located just under each player photo.

Included with each league report will be commentary from a Mastersball staff member participating in that league. We invite you to ask questions and post comments at the bottom of the report.

All contingency bids for awarded players are included. Sometimes, this bid is tied to a player that the owner received, so at times the bid amount is larger than the winning bid. We are including it to provide as much information and context as possible with each report.

A scant four moves were made by LABR AL owners and we move to the end of the season, although one of the potential prime prospects was among the players purchased in Texas infielder and cum left fielder Willie Calhoun.

Calhoun, who has some serious pop as well as on-base skills only fetched $4 to Larry Schechter with a pair of challenging $1 bids. Interesting that had Calhoun been promoted two months ago, say, the price tag could indeed have been 10 times greater.

Todd's Take

Calhoun was the centerpiece of the Yu Darvish deal. A second baseman by trade, there's question where his glove will play there long term, not to mention Rougned Odor may be having an off year, he still has a bright future at the keystone sack. The move to left Lawr cited could be more than a way to get his stick in the lineup in September, it could be where he lands. Calhoun doesn't have the power of some corner outfielders, but the on-base skills the Zen Master referenced make up for it. Calhoun will likely be AL-only relevant next season but probably won't play enough for mixers, at least right away.

With no zero dollar bids allowed, one-third of the NL LABR ownership pool was already tapped out from further free agent action this season. Of the remaining eight, just three of us placed bids and each got our man.

Outfielder Albert Almora drove in 10 runs this past week for a Cubs team on a six-game winning streak and finally in the driver’s seat to take the NL Central. In a move typical of my disappointing 2017, I dropped Almora two weeks ago, and this time, host Steve Gardner of USA TODAY swooped him up for $11. Steve had the most cash remaining coming into the weekend at $21 and is just one point behind ESPN’s Eric Karabell in the standings.

With Adrian Gonzalez’ distinguished career winding down, I finally jettisoned the rarely-appearing former Dodgers star, adding Phillies prospect shortstop J.P. Crawford for $4. As a reminder of how long we had been waiting for Crawford, I held him among my reserves in this league for the entire 2016 season. Needless to say, even two hot weeks now will not make up for that.

The third and final free agent acquisition is another rebounder, Mets starter Matt Harvey. No one knows what the right-hander has left after thoracic outlet surgery, but Glenn Colton and Rick Wolf were willing to gamble their last $2 to find out.

Todd's Take

Many expected Crawford to be called up much earlier, but two factors delayed his arrival until roster expansion. Most importantly, he didn't force the Phillies hand, slashing a mediocre .243/.351/.405 for Triple-A Lehigh, albeit at 22-years old, he's younger than most at the level. The other reason Crawford spent the season on the farm is neither Cesar Hernandez nor Freddy Galvis deserved to be replaced. In fact, the Phillies have a conundrum in the middle. Crawford has been playing all over, including third with the disappointing Maikel Franco sitting or playing first. I really don't see Crawford shifting to the hot corner long term, presenting another issue for Philly. This is on top of what to do with Tommy Joseph, with Rhys Hoskins the obvious first baseman of the future. At least Philadelphia has good decisions to make. This is a team with a bright few years ahead of them.

Steve Gardner is within shouting distance of third, hence grabbing Candelario. The Tigers are moving Nicolas Castellanos around, mostly DH and right field to keep Candelario's bat in the lineup. He was acquired in the Alex Avila/Justin Wilson deal. His minor league numbers don't blow you away, but he's young for his level and scouts think his power will develop.

Todd's Take

We have a race. Mike Podhozer holds a six-point lead over Jake Ciely, but there's plenty of points in jeopardy. My goal is third...third to last as I'm out of the cellar and half a point from 13th. As it happens, 13 is my lucky number, but I'd much rather have 13 points in each category. Maybe next year.

Gohara is just a way to grab a two-start guy, hoping to snag the half-point I need for lucky 13th.